Rustic Country French Garlic Soup Recipe

Introduction

This Rustic Country French Garlic Soup is a comforting blend of roasted garlic, fragrant thyme, and creamy broth. Perfect as a starter or a light meal, it combines rich flavors with a smooth texture that’s easy to prepare at home.

Ingredients

• 10 garlic cloves (about 50 g), whole and unpeeled
• 1 large yellow onion (about 150 g), chopped
• 4 cups (960 ml) vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 4–5 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
• 1 small baguette or 4 slices crusty bread (about 150 g), for serving
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh herbs or croutons, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the tops off the garlic bulbs, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 30 minutes until the garlic is golden and soft.
2. Step 2: In a large pot, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook for 5–7 minutes until they are translucent and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins directly into the pot. Add the broth and thyme sprigs, stir, and bring to a gentle simmer.
4. Step 4: Let the soup simmer for 15–20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
5. Step 5: Remove the thyme sprigs. Puree the soup until smooth using an immersion blender or in batches with a regular blender.
6. Step 6: Return the soup to the pot. Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
7. Step 7: Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh herbs or croutons, and serve warm alongside slices of crusty baguette.

Tips & Variations

• For a richer flavor, use homemade chicken broth instead of store-bought.
• Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream for a dairy-free version.
• Add a pinch of smoked paprika to deepen the soup’s flavor.
• Use fresh rosemary in place of thyme for a different herbaceous note.
• Toast the bread with garlic butter before serving to enhance the garlic experience.

Storage

Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent curdling of the cream. This soup does not freeze well due to its creamy texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this soup vegan?

Yes, use vegetable broth and replace the heavy cream with coconut cream or another plant-based cream alternative.

Is it necessary to roast the garlic?

Roasting the garlic softens its sharpness and brings out a sweet, mellow flavor that is essential to the soup’s character. Raw garlic would be too pungent and overpowering in this dish.

Rustic Country French Garlic Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 73 reviews

Rustic Country French Garlic Soup is a creamy, aromatic soup featuring roasted garlic, sautéed onions, and fresh thyme. This comforting dish blends the rich flavors of roasted garlic and heavy cream, served with crusty bread or baguette for a delightful, hearty meal perfect for cozy evenings.

• Author: Grace
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Roasting and Stovetop
• Cuisine: French

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 10 garlic cloves (about 50 g), whole and unpeeled
• 1 large yellow onion (about 150 g), chopped
• 4 cups (960 ml) vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 4–5 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
• 1 small baguette or 4 slices crusty bread (about 150 g), for serving
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh herbs or croutons, for garnish

Instructions

1. Roast the Garlic: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the tops off the garlic bulbs, drizzle them with olive oil, wrap them tightly in foil, and roast in the oven for 30 minutes or until the garlic is golden and soft.
2. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook for 5–7 minutes until they become translucent and fragrant, developing a sweet aroma.
3. Add Broth and Herbs: Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins directly into the pot. Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth and add the thyme sprigs. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
4. Simmer: Let the soup simmer gently for 15–20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
5. Blend: Remove the thyme sprigs from the soup. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer the soup in batches to a regular blender and blend until creamy.
6. Add Cream & Season: Return the blended soup to the pot if needed. Stir in the heavy cream to give it a luscious texture. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
7. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh herbs or crunchy croutons. Serve warm alongside slices of toasted baguette or crusty bread for a satisfying meal.

Notes

• Roasting the garlic enhances its natural sweetness and mellows out its pungency, creating a richer soup flavor.
• You can use either vegetable or chicken broth depending on your preference or dietary needs.
• For a vegan version, substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or a plant-based cream alternative.
• Fresh thyme offers more aromatic complexity than dried, but dried thyme is a convenient substitute if needed.
• To add extra texture, top the soup with homemade garlic croutons or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Keywords: garlic soup, French soup, roasted garlic, creamy soup, comfort food, autumn soup